.....Driving across the Hay Plain last week I rocked on to an old favourite, Garden Party by Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band. Back in 1972 Rick penned a catchy tune with a poignant message. “You can’t please everyone, so you got to please yourself.”

In the peaceful Sturt Highway environment with no cares except the road train overtaking another road train on a bend a few hundred metres ahead, with my name emblazoned on its bull bar, I thought about why I was there in the first place.

For 2 yearsI had been a slave to compassion; writing a self-help book, studying advanced life coaching techniques, and blogging prolifically in a virtuous attempt to help people who are stuck in a rut. Guess where I was right then, revving my guts out, spinning my wheels and getting nowhere.

Just before Christmas I answered a phone call from a former colleague from my irrigation consulting days, asking if I could help out with a large corporate project. I was apprehensive since I hadn’t done this work for 7 years but within 10 minutes on site I realized that I was back where I belong. My product and process memory was intact, and I loved every aspect of the job.

The project concluded successfully and after a few ensuing conversations I signed on as what can best be described as an internal consultant. The role embraces many of my passions including travel, human and machinery interaction, fresh air, troubleshooting, mentoring and training. I cheekily added that a refreshing point of difference to my previous life is, “All care and no responsibility.” I’m not selling anything and I’m not managing anyone.

But wait, there’s more. I work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, so every weekend is Easter. And that is as close to retirement as I ever want to get.

The bottom line is that I am in a fulfilling role, and loving it. I thought I would have trouble letting go of my coaching pursuits and the significant time and financial investments, but the decision to return to being happy, for myself, came easily. No regrets. No what ifs. No guilt.

The only time I look back now is when I’m cruising along a country highway and wonder if there’s a road train behind me waiting to crush my dreams and smear them for 400 yards along the bitumen.

My June message is based on the acronym headlining every second ad on television this month, EOFY. I hope to see all my readers think seriously about this crucial advice and adopt the mantra, “Everyone Out For Yourself.”

Happiness is an irresistible force that benefits all those who come into contact with it. If you’re truly happy, your loved ones, friends, workmates and teammates will be positively influenced.

Bin the brave face and replace it with an inner glow; you don’t have to smile when you’re happy – people will sense it and they’ll smile for you, and themselves.

You don’t need a life coach, counsellor or shrink to tell you that it all begins with you. You don’t need mind-blowing strategies to reset your mindset. You just need to be honest, with yourself.

You may be pleasantly surprised how little courage you need to face reality and take action when you are convinced of the truth.

Let’s all make an EOFY resolution, and Everybody look Out For Yourself.....

Today, I am listening to my own advice, holistically.

Life has a knack of waking up dreamers with a cold slap of reality. Once awake. it's difficult to dismiss life as "just a dream" because it's not.

Our original employement agreement was to work 3 days (as a TWAT - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) to enjoy 4 days of leisure. As expected, demand for the service we were offering grew until I was working 5 and 6 days a week. I thrive on challenges, and met all deadlines, however unrealistic some seemed. Then it all came tumbling down. Business cash flow slowed, clients bought and sold assets, and an unseasonally wet winter brought activity to a sudden halt.

I've been around long enough to know that all commercial endeavours ebb and flow and the average nett result is what matters.

So, why was I distressed and depressed? After a week I was refreshed, after 2 weeks I was bored, after 3 weeks I was concerned and after 4 weeks I was anxious and questioning my life choices.

Was I deeply concerned about the uncertainty of a regular part-time income? I think not, that's how I've lived my whole business life thus far.

Did I resent being used as a disposable "resource" by the company? A little, maybe, but I was as much to blame by making myself available.

Did I regret desserting my coaching endeavours before they had a chance to hit pay dirt? Regrets stem from inaction, so that was a probability.

I decided to take advantage of the extended holiday and pretend I had retired, just to see how it felt. After 2 weeks of zero motivation, schedule or direction, I was a lost lamb - desperately hoping to be rescued but resigned to the fact that I was soon to become fox fodder.

Something was missing. I thought about all the things I could do and where I could be but nothing jumped out. It was all doable, but where to start?

Then the proverbial penny dropped. It wasn't about the what, where, who or even why - it was all about the how. I had lost my rhythm. I was out of beat with my mojo.

In the '70s it seemed coolly anti-establishment to quote Linda Ronstadt's hit song, Different Drum and refuse to let any person place or thing bring the reins in on me.

For too long we dance to the beat of someone else's drum; come retirement - no more. The only beat that can work is that played on your own drum.

It's time to walk my talk. I resolve to work no more than 3 days per week in irrigation consultancy and devote the remaining 2 days to sharing my insights to help retirees and pre-retirees to find their retirement rhythm and make beautiful music.

Circumstances will no doubt change as we evolve, so if the ratio needs to be adjusted, so be it.

To all concerned, please don't be offended if I don't answer your call on Friday at 6pm. It's just that I can't hear over the music being played in the pub.